National Security Agency chief in NZ

The director of the United States National Security Agency is in Wellington to meet his New Zealand counterparts to discuss shared interests in electronic eavesdropping.

The presence of Lieutenant General Keith Alexander is shrouded in secrecy, with the US embassy confirming only that he is here for consultations with New Zealand officials.

No one will say what he might be discussing.

Because the New Zealand Government Communications Security Bureau has two listening posts which feed into the US network, Radio New Zealand's political editor says it's likely the discussions focus on information sharing and the latest threats to security.